Quetta Subdivision, 1908
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Quetta Subdivision
Subdivision and tahsil of the Quetta-Pishm District, Baluchistan, lying between 29 52' and 30 27' N. and 66 15' and 67 1 8' E. It is held on a perpetual lease from the Khan of Kalat For administrative purposes Shorarud, which is British territory, is attached to it. The two cover an area of 1,174 square miles, of which 540 form the Quetta tahsil proper. The population in 1901 numbered 45,897, that of Shorarud being 1,062. The only town is QUETTA (population, 24,584); and the villages number 54. The tahsil occupies a valley about 5,500 feet above sea-level, sur- rounded by mountains, Shorarud derives its name from a stream of brackish water, which traverses it to join the Pishln Lora ; it consists of the river basin and the Sarlath hills, beyond which lies Shorawak in Afghanistan. The Sarlath hills afford excellent pasturage. Shorarud contains only 7 permanent villages. The land revenue of the whole tahsil in 1903-4 amounted to Rs. 65,500, of which Rs. 2,000 was contributed by Shorarud. Owing to the ready market available in the Quetta town and cantonment and the numerous karez, the Quetta valley is the best cultivated in Baluchistan, and the extension of fruit gardens has been marked. Coal is found in the adjoining Sor range. A branch of the Murree Brewery has been worked near Kirani since 1886.
